CDC Infant Nutrition Fellowship
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A fellowship opportunity is currently available with the Nutrition Branch in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
DNPAO’s Nutrition Branch works collaboratively to improve health and development through improved nutrition with a focus on reducing inequities. One of the areas of focus includes supporting optimal nutrition from pregnancy through the first two years of life to help every infant get a healthy start in life and support their development. The Branch conducts surveillance, applied research and evaluation, translation and guideline development, and technical assistance on topics such as improving access to support for breastfeeding, micronutrient intake, and promoting the development of healthy dietary patterns in key settings such as hospitals, worksites, early care and education, health care provider offices, and other community settings.
This project will provide training in the area of maternal and child nutrition, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrients, and the development of healthy dietary patterns. The research participant will collaborate with others to synthesize the science, identify research and surveillance gaps, and translate the science into public health actions for different aspects of nutrition in pregnancy and through the first two years of life.
Under the guidance of a mentor, participant activities include:
- Building public health skills in research, synthesis, translation, and dissemination of evidence on social, environmental, and policy factors related to maternal and child nutrition. The majority of the research focuses on pregnancy through two years of age.
- Contributing to the development of guidance documents and written reports with an emphasis on environmental and policy strategies to help address critical factors related to a healthy pregnancy, support for breastfeeding and optimal early child nutrition in clinical settings, childcare settings, and state public health systems.
- Analyzing data and developing translation products on maternal and child nutrition.
- Synthesizing information and communicating with partners and to the general public.
- Focused learning on gestational weight gain, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrient status, and the establishment of healthy dietary patterns that will help inform the development of a comprehensive DNPAO strategic plan on maternal and child nutrition.
- Participating in interdisciplinary groups and interacting with experts including public health nutritionists, health education specialists, evaluation specialists, maternal and pediatric health care providers, and epidemiologists.
- Conducting systematic reviews of the scientific literature on the health effects of multiple health behaviors and practices during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life.
- Analyzing data and contributing to manuscripts on key topics related to maternal and child nutrition; reviewing data for indicators to be included in DNPAO’s interactive data portal.
- Contributing to the preparation of briefing documents on policy and program for review by public health leaders, policy makers, hospital administrators, etc.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 4, 2021
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at CDC in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.NCCDPHP@orau.org.